An essential role for Ran GTPase in epithelial ovarian cancer cell survival.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
We previously identified that Ran protein, a member of the Ras GTPase family, is highly expressed in high grade and high stage serous epithelial ovarian cancers, and that its overexpression is associated with a poor prognosis. Ran is known to contribute to both nucleocytoplasmic transport and cell cycle progression, but its role in ovarian cancer is not well defined.Results
Using a lentivirus-based tetracycline-inducible shRNA approach, we show that downregulation of Ran expression in aggressive ovarian cancer cell lines affects cellular proliferation by inducing a caspase-3 associated apoptosis. Using a xenograft tumor assay, we demonstrate that depletion of Ran results in decreased tumorigenesis, and eventual tumor formation is associated with tumor cells that express Ran protein.Conclusion
Our results suggest a role for Ran in ovarian cancer cell survival and tumorigenicity and suggest that this critical GTPase may be suitable as a therapeutic target.
SUBMITTER: Barres V
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2964620 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
An essential role for Ran GTPase in epithelial ovarian cancer cell survival.
Barrès Véronique V Ouellet Véronique V Lafontaine Julie J Tonin Patricia N PN Provencher Diane M DM Mes-Masson Anne-Marie AM
Molecular cancer 20101013
<h4>Background</h4>We previously identified that Ran protein, a member of the Ras GTPase family, is highly expressed in high grade and high stage serous epithelial ovarian cancers, and that its overexpression is associated with a poor prognosis. Ran is known to contribute to both nucleocytoplasmic transport and cell cycle progression, but its role in ovarian cancer is not well defined.<h4>Results</h4>Using a lentivirus-based tetracycline-inducible shRNA approach, we show that downregulation of R ...[more]
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